Meanwhile train services were halted across Hertfordshire with no services between Watford Junction and Harrow and between London and Reading in Berkshire.

Trains were unable to run between Barnes and Hounslow via Brentford in west London, while there were delays between London and Ashford International in Kent and also between Sevenoaks in Kent and Hither Green in south east London.

In London, there were delays on the London Overground, and the Metropolitan, Central and Bakerloo Tube lines, while a faulty train led to delays on the Victoria line.

Motorists have been warned to be careful on the roads as many will be particularly slippery.

The cold snap is expected to continue to fall on the east coast throughout the day and is expected to reach Suffolk this afternoon.

In Scotland up to six inches fell as temperatures dipped below -7C.

The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings in place across most of Britain and ice warnings across the country.